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Christ’s Redemptive Death
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Jesus’ redemptive Death and Resurrection is the high point of human history, promised from the
time of Adam and Eve’s sin.
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The theological and historical understandings of the events surrounding Christ’s Death help to
reveal its meaning:
Representing all humanity like Adam, Jesus took on the sins of the world and died the death we deserve.
Theological Meaning of the Death of Jesus
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Christ’s humanity became the instrument of divine love, suffering so that we might be forgiven
for our sins and be restored to communion with God.
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Jesus’ motive for accepting Death was the desire to free humans from sin and to buy our
freedom with his very Person and his eternal love.
Who Is Responsible for Jesus Death?
Roman authorities:
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The Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate, gave in to the pressure of the crowd because he viewed
Jesus as a threat to Roman authority and peaceful relations between Jewish and Roman
authorities.
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Certain Jewish officials wanted Jesus condemned for many reasons:
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Jesus’ association with sinners
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His exorcisms
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Jesus’ teaching on dietary and ritual laws
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His teaching with authority
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His claims to be the Messiah and even God
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His forgiving sins
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Fear of disruption of relations with Roman authorities
Discussion: Why would it be wrong to say that Pilate or Jews are entirely to blame for Jesus’ death?
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Blaming Jews for the Death of Christ is a form of anti-Semitism and is contrary to the love of
Christ.
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Ultimately, all people bear responsibility for Jesus’ Death since he died for the sins of us all.
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Overview of the Passion Narratives
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The Evangelists agree on essential details of the events of the Passion:
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Jesus’ arrest
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Questioning by the high priest
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Trials before Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate
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Condemnation
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Crucifixion
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Death
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Burial
However, each shaped the events of Christ’s Passion in order to emphasize certain theological
points.
Matthew and Mark
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Stress Jesus’ abandonment
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Judas’s betrayal
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Disciples falling asleep in garden
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Peter’s denial
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Disciples flee upon arrest
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Jesus mocked by soldiers
Vindication in the end
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Temple veil torn in two
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Roman centurion confesses, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Luke
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Portrays apostles more favorably:
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Disciples fall asleep only once (because of grief)
Emphasizes Jesus’ compassion during his Passion:
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Jesus healing servant’s ear in garden
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Comforts women on way to Calvary
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Promises paradise to Good Thief
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Prays for forgiveness for his executioners
John
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Portrays Jesus in control of events:
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“I lay down my life in order to take it up again” (Jn 10:17)
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When asked his identity, Jesus says “I AM” (the divine name), causing the soldiers to fall
to the ground
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Jesus tells Peter to put sword away
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He entrusts Mary to John
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His last words: “It is finished” (Jn 19:30)
Discussion: How do you think the differing emphases of each Gospel enhance our overall understanding
of Christ’s Passion and Death?
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Tracing the Events of
Our Salvation
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The Paschal Mystery of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection are the central part of God’s
eternal plan and are revealed in each of the Gospels.
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Matthew 26-27 provides an especially descriptive account of these events:
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Jesus arrives in Jerusalem during the week of Passover, the Jewish feast celebrating God’s
delivery of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
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He sends two disciples ahead to retrieve a colt for him to ride.
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People lay down palms as he enters the city.
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Jesus chases moneychangers out of the Temple.
Conspiracy against Jesus (Mt 26:1-5)
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Jewish authorities scheme how to arrest Jesus without causing a riot.
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High priest, Joseph Caiaphas, says better for one man to die than whole nation.
Jesus’ anointing at Bethany (Mt 26:6-13)
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Woman anoints Jesus’ with expensive oil
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Disciples criticize the waste, but Jesus commends the woman for anointing him for burial
Judas’s betrayal
(Mt 26:14-16)
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Betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver
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His actions were influenced by Satan
Last Supper (Mt 26:17-35)
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Jesus plans the meal (shows he is in control)
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At the meal Jesus foretells his betrayal
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Jesus celebrates Passover meal and institutes the Eucharist as the memorial of his sacrifice
Agony in the garden and Jesus’ arrest
(Mt 26:36-56)
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Jesus prays that the cup pass from him, yet resolves to obey God’s will
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Disciples fall asleep three times
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Judas leads armed crowd and betrays Jesus with a kiss
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Jesus reprimands Peter for drawing his sword
Jesus before the Sanhedrin and Peter’s denial (Mt 26:57-27:10)
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Hearings before former high priest Annas, current high priest Caiaphas, and Sanhedrin
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False witnesses brought against Jesus
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Jesus convicted of blasphemy in the end
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Meanwhile Peter denies Jesus three times
Jesus before Pilate
(Mt 27:11-31)
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Jesus brought to Pontius Pilate on charges of sedition
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Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who sends Jesus back without condemning him
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Pilate gives the crowd the choice to have Jesus or Barabbas released—Barabbas is chosen
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Pilate gives in to crowd’s chants to crucify Jesus
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Soldiers mock and abuse Jesus
Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
(Mt 27:32-56)
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Simon of Cyrene forced to help carry the cross because Jesus so weak
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Jesus refuses wine mixed with gall (painkiller)
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soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ garments
Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
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Jesus is crucified between two criminals
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Inscription placed above his head: “King of the Jews”
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Before dying Jesus recites a line from Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned
me?”
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Jesus dies and the Temple veil is rent
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Jesus’ mother Mary, apostle John, and some other disciples present at cross
Burial (Mt 27:57-66)
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Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body
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The body is hurriedly prepared since Sabbath began at sundown